New York helicopter crash victim ‘was celebrating 40th’

The British woman who was killed when a helicopter crashed into New York’s East River has been named as Sonia Marra Nicholson, who was celebrating her 40th birthday with her partner, her mother and her stepfather it has emerged.

Tragic: Sonia Marra Nicholson was celebrating her 40th birthday in a helicopter over New York City (Picture: Fairfax Media/Getty)

Ms Marra, who lives in Sydney, Australia, with her partner Helen Tomaski, was in the United States as part of a joint celebration with pilot and friend Paul Dudley – who was also marking his 71st birthday.

The pilot’s wife, Sunhe Dudley, told the Associated Press: ‘These were actually very dear friends of ours that were in the helicopter.’

After being pulled from the water, the wrecked helicopter was taken to Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn in a bid to discover the cause of the crash.

At least seven boats were seen involved in the rescue effort, which took place shortly before 15:30 EST (20:30 BST).

Giving a statement shortly afterwards, mayor Michael Bloomberg revealed the authorities still do not know the cause.

Ms Marra was pulled from the partially submerged wreckage after an hour underwater and pronounced dead at the scene. It is thought she had become trapped inside while the helicopter floated upside down in the river.